Pistons coach J.B. Bickerstaff said postgame that his team was “exhausted” due to travel delays and the fact that they played an NBA Cup game the night before. Since its inception just a year ago, NBA Cup games have bred a different sense of urgency from players. Especially considering each of them on the winning team earned $500,000 last season.

The 76ers squared off with the Pistons as Paul George made his return to the starting lineup. Joel Embiid and Cade Cunningham were ruled out.

Joel Embiid will play no part in his side’s game against the Detroit Pistons in the NBA 2024 season as the center continues to struggle with an injury that has kept him out for four games. Embiid, a two-time NBA scoring champion, is fighting to get over a physical issue in his knee that he suffered ahead of the game against the Brooklyn Nets.